Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

I’m a lady… and this Valentine’s Day I’m going to treat myself like a lady. I’ll open doors for myself. I’ll pour myself the first glass of wine. I’ll let me eat the last soft french fry. I’ll drape my coat over a puddle for me to walk across. I’ll slyly check myself out as I walk by. Huh? I’ll buy myself movie tickets and tell me I look pretty today. That’s how it’s going to go down. Except… I won’t put my jacket in a puddle because that’s just dumb. Who does that? Dummies.

This Valentine’s Day is going to get pretty glamorous. I’m going to make myself a sandwich, scoop up some olives and drink a perfectly reasonable amount of wine. Dig it.

This Valentine’s Day, I’d also like to tell these people that I love them… because I do. I love you Asher, Launa, Lauren, Whitney, Zach, Rachel, Jenelle (you crazy lady), Jill, Kitten and Michael. I love you all so much. I love you enough to throw chocolate at you and run away. Wait… what? Let’s make out. Nevermind.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and you.

It’s a good day to love people. It also seems like a good day to love olives and marbles and wine.

Don’t confuse olives and marbles in your mouth. Mistake.

I’m no rocket scientist. Yea. Duh. This sandwich isn’t a genius combination of ingredients. It is super delicious and melty and green and salty. So at least there’s that.

This is the world in which I’ll be shoveling this sandwich into my face.

Cat eats my olives.

Oh! And this is what I’m having for dessert.

It’s a banana stuffed with dark chocolate and white chocolate and salted peanuts and shredded coconut. I wrapped it in foil and baked it in the oven. When I was a kid we would pull this sort of stunt while at sleep away camp, but we’d cook the foil covered bananas in the campfire. That’s livin.

Also… don’t be alarmed that the baked banana peel will be black. That’s what happens when bananas peels are baked. The inside will be a warm baked banana topped with melted chocolate, et al. But… it’s not like this is a fancy show piece dessert. It’s more of a dessert-for-one sort of situation.

Now this is the part where I give you instructions on how to make a sandwich…. as if you don’t already know…. forgive me.

Spread one tablespoon of goat cheese on each slice of bread. Top one slice with spinach and the other slice with ham. Spread a bit of whole grain mustard atop the ham and smush the two pieces of bread together. Grill on either side until golden brown and delicious. Remove from skillet. Allow to cool for two or three minutes before cutting in half. Enjoy with olives and wine.

Baked Bananas

Makes: one banana

1 banana

2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips

1 tablespoons white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon sweetened shredded coconut

1 tablespoon roasted and salted peanuts

Place a rack in the center of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the head and butt of of a whole banana. Slice lengthwise down the peel (not through the entire banana, just the peel) and open the peel, revealing just the top of the banana.

Stuff banana with chocolate chips, coconut and cuts. Wrap loosely in foil and place on baking sheet to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before unwrapping and enjoying straight from the peel. Get in there.

Nothing better than start your day like this!!! Absolutely simple and gorgeous sandwich and banana!!!! The cat is great too :)
Oh, wish you all your days like this and lots and lots of lovely people around you to make your days….

oh, by the way: We’re here first time so hope to come and visit you more often!!

Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! Maybe only dummies do it, but I’d happily throw my coat over a puddle if that banana were waiting for me on the other side! Thank you for sharing; looks like my Valentine’s Day breakfast has been decided. :)

And the style of your writing (never mind your gorgeous photos and recipes) is just wonderful. You’ve got such great flow happening! It’s like we’re all sitting down having a chat with you in that sunny little spot around your coffee table. No distance!